Feminist ethnography

Wednesday, Nov. 24, activist and feminist Kamala Viweswaran, an associate professor of anthropology and Asian Studies at the University of Texas in Austin, speaks about genocide and the incidents of gender violence that took place in Gujarat, India, in 2002. Angana Chatterji, of the California Institute of Integral Studies' Social and Cultural Anthropology Program, introduces her. 6:30-8:30 p.m., California Institute of Integral Studies, Room 607, 1453 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 573-6254, aparadise@ciis.edu.

'Native Americans' documentary

Wednesday, Nov. 24, explore tribal history and culture across the United States in this Fellowship of Humanity screening of the PBS documentary The Native Americans. 7 p.m., Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakl. Donations accepted. (510) 451-5818.

Give thanks with Spearhead

Friday, Nov. 26-Saturday, Nov. 27, celebrate Thanksgiving the politically conscious way with Michael Franti and Spearhead. The band plays three-hour sets both nights, and Franti screens a trailer for his upcoming antiwar documentary filmed in the Middle East last year, I Know I'm Not Alone. Donate 10 or more food items to Conscious Alliance and get a free Spearhead poster. 8 p.m., Fillmore, 1805 Geary, S.F. $25. (415) 346-3000.

Veggie fuel party

Saturday, Nov. 27, spreading the gospel of alternative energy, the Sustainable Solutions Caravan makes its second annual trek from San Francisco to Costa Rica in buses running completely on vegetable oil. Help hosts Stephen Brooks and Zak Zaidman kick off the event, which includes live music, DJs, puppetry, and speakers from ecological groups. Earlier in the day, take tours of the buses and learn how to convert your own vehicle to one that runs on veggie fuel. Tours and workshop noon, CELLspace back lot, Florida and 18th Sts., S.F. Launch party 8 p.m., CELLspace, 2050 Bryant, S.F. Donations accepted. (415) 285-2809 or (510) 717-2538.

'Diet for a Dead Planet'

Tuesday, Nov. 30, find out how food production in the United States is destroying the planet and your body, at a reading from former Bay Guardian city editor Christopher D. Cook's new book, Diet for a Dead Planet (New Press). Eatwell Farm provides locally grown, organic snacks. 7:30 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 282-9246.

Dot-com documentary

Tuesday, Nov. 30, as part of the "Televising the Revolution" radical film series, the Heads Up Collective presents a screening of Boom! The Sound of Eviction. The documentary examines the dot-com aftermath through interviews with former dot-com workers, real estate developers, landlords, former mayor Willie Brown, and the activists who fought against the displacement of community groups and tenants. Donations benefit St. Peter's Housing Committee. 8 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. Donations accepted. radfilms@lycos.com.

Fundamentalism discussed

Tuesday, Nov. 30, hear experts speak on increasing religious fundamentalism among young people in the United States and the Middle East. KQED-FM reporter Penny Nelson moderates a panel featuring UC Berkeley sociology professor Michael Hout, Dave Kong of the American Atheists, and George Revutsky of Young Adults at Beth Sholom. Program 6:30 p.m., reception 7:30 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, second floor, 595 Market, S.F. $20, $12 members, $7 students. (415) 597-6700.

Affordable-housing discussion

Wednesday, Dec. 1, meet with Donald McDonald, author of Democratic Architecture, discuss the benefits of affordable housing, and take a tour of Shelter One – the house on wheels that construction worker-activist Jim Reid built for less than $10,000 – at an event sponsored by the Campaign to Abolish Poverty. Tour 10-11 a.m., Shelter One, parked on Mission at 14th St., S.F.; discussion 11:30 a.m., Senior Action Network, seventh fl., 965 Mission, S.F. (415) 235-6488 or (415) 546-1336.

World AIDS Day observance

Wednesday, Dec. 1, gather at the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park to remember the 550,000 Americans who have died from AIDS. Actor and activist Judith Light gives this year's keynote address, Mayor Gavin Newsom and state assemblymember Mark Leno make presentations, and others who have worked to stop the spread of the disease participate. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., National AIDS Memorial Grove, Golden Gate Park, corner of Bowling Green and Middle Drive East, S.F. Free. (415) 750-8340, www.aidsmemorial.org.

The Bicycle Coalition needs you

Ongoing, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition needs volunteer crossing guards during the evening rush hour at the intersection of Fell and Masonic Streets. Help protect pedestrians and cyclists at this dangerous intersection. Also, volunteers are needed Dec. 5 for Winterfest, the yearly gala put on by the SFBC, to assist with the auction, park bikes, check in attendees, and more. To volunteer as a crossing guard, e-mail Michael Cobb at mishamean@hotmail.com. To volunteer for Winterfest, e-mail Lisa Ruth Elliott at lisaruth@sfbike.org.